Recent Advances and Future Prospects of Mycosporine-like Amino Acids

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are low-molecular-weight, water-soluble secondary metabolites that provide cellular photoprotection by strongly absorbing UV radiation (310–360 nm) through their cyclohexenone/cyclohexenimine chromophore, thereby preventing UV-induced DNA damage and photooxidative stress. Mechanistically, MAAs dissipate absorbed UV energy as harmless heat and act as potent antioxidants by scavenging reactive oxygen species, stabilizing cellular macromolecules, and inhibiting lipid peroxidation and inflammatory signaling triggered by UV exposure. Their biosynthesis primarily proceeds through the shikimate pathway involving enzymes such as dehydroquinate synthase and O-methyltransferases, enabling organisms like cyanobacteria and algae to enhance UV tolerance and oxidative stress resistance.

Source : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10384724/